Conservation Science Intensive

About the CSI

ACR's Conservation Science Intensive inspires young women to develop a stronger connection to themselves, each other, and the natural world while learning about and practicing land conservation, stewardship, nature writing, and illustration. During this 5-day, 4-night collaborative expeditionary program challenges participants - individually and collectively - physically, creatively, and intellectually, as they work with and learn from ACR’s highly-skilled conservation biologists, ecologists, educators and guest artists, writers, and musicians. Daily activities include extensive time on the land, natural history skill building (tracking, botany, birding, working with maps/GPS, etc.), stewardship & conservation projects, directed journaling, solo time, team building, and group discussion, all within a framework of strong leadership - a culture of safety, encouragement, loving kindness, and mutual respect on all levels and at all times.

Dates: July 20 - 24, 2020, 5 days- 4 - nights

Where: Participant stay overnight at ACR's Martin Griffin Preserve on Bolinas Lagoon near Stinson Beach, CA. The program takes day trips to some of ACR's other preserves and local protected lands.

Who: CSI accepts applications from young women, ages 14 to 17, who will be entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year of high school following the program.

The program located in the Marin County, CA and is primarily designed for local participants. While we welcome applications from out of the region, the following must be true in order to participate:

1. Families must provide transportation to and from Marin County, where the program begins and ends.

2. At least one adult parent/guardian or emergency contact must be present in the Bay Area and remain be available by phone for the duration of the course.

If you have questions about this policy, please contact us at CSI@egret.org.

About Program Staff

ACR has a highly competent and deeply committed team of biologists, ecologists, writers, and artists who see this as both a privilege and a responsibility - mentoring young women in conservation science, supporting their educational and professional goals.

In a landmark 2015 study, the National Science Foundation found that American women earn 50 percent of science and engineering degrees yet hold just 28 percent of jobs in these fields. In conservation science, women hold only 22 percent of jobs. Audubon Canyon Ranch (ACR) is proud to be bucking the national trend: Women hold eight of twelve conservation science positions at our organization. ACR’s philosophy of “Conservation in Action” means that we are committed to catalyzing in others the desire to understand and care for the land. ACR believes that leveling the playing field means not only inspiring and equipping young women to access and enjoy natural lands, but also supporting them to cultivate a sense of belonging to and curiosity about the natural world, and a desire to engage with stewarding the wild.